Staff Reporter:

A human chain and protest rally were held at Hatikumrul area on the Dhaka-Rajshahi Highway to demand the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the miscreants involved in the attack, vandalism, and looting at the home of Shahriar Morshedul Islam—General Secretary of the Hatikumrul Press Club—following the publication of a news report.

The event was organized by the Hatikumrul Press Club and took place around 12:00 PM on Thursday.

Speakers at the event described the attack and looting of a professional journalist’s residence as a heinous act and a direct assault on independent journalism and freedom of speech.

They expressed frustration with the administration for failing to bring the perpetrators to justice even two days after the incident. The speakers warned that if those involved were not arrested immediately, they would launch a more rigorous movement involving the entire journalist community of Sirajganj.

Presided over by Hatikumrul Press Club President Zakir Hossain and moderated by M. Karikul Islam Sumon (Correspondent for Daily Manab Zamin), the event was addressed by Rafiqul Islam Mia (Vice-President, Salanga Press Club), Sheikh Mohammad Rafiqul Islam (Assistant General Secretary, Salanga Press Club), Abdur Rashid Khan (General Secretary, Salanga Model Press Club), Kayum Mahmud (Ullapara correspondent for  Daily E-Din), and the victim himself, Shahriar Morshedul (General Secretary, Hatikumrul Press Club). Also present to express solidarity with the human chain were a large number of journalists from local electronic and print media, including Shahin Reza (Staff Reporter,  Dainik Juger Katha), Al Amin Hossain (Ullapara Correspondent,  Dainik Manabkantha ), Moinul Hossain (Ullapara Correspondent, Desh Television), Sohel Rana (Raiganj Correspondent,  Dainik Naya Diganta ), Likhan Ahmed (Ullapara Correspondent,  Dainik Janakantha ), and Hatikumrul Press Club Vice-President Abdul Khalek and Organizing Secretary Jewel Rana.